An approach is provided for storing secondary maritime vessels to primary maritime vessels. A first signal is caused, at least in part, to be received to actuate a drive mechanism configured to cause, at least in part, a secondary vessel to be moored in a first state to a primary vessel. The drive mechanism is caused, at least in part, to be actuated in a first direction based on the first signal, wherein causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in the first direction is configured to cause, at least in part, a drawing mechanism to draw the secondary vessel towards the primary vessel and configured to cause, at least in part, a lifting mechanism to raise the secondary vessel from a substantially horizontal plane to the first state.
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7. A method comprising:
causing, at least in part, a first signal to be received to actuate a drive mechanism configured to cause, at least in part, a secondary vessel to be moored in a first state to a primary vessel; and
causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in a first direction based on the first signal,
wherein causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in the first direction is configured to cause, at least in part, a drawing mechanism to draw the secondary vessel towards the primary vessel and configured to cause, at least in part, a lifting mechanism to raise the secondary vessel from a substantially horizontal plane to the first state, and
wherein the lifting mechanism comprises an engagement portion configured to detachably engage the secondary vessel after the secondary vessel is drawn towards the primary vessel via the drawing mechanism.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a support structure configured to engage at least one surface of a primary vessel;
a drive mechanism supported by the support structure;
a drawing mechanism configured to be actuated, at least in part, by the drive mechanism and, when actuated to cause, at least in part, a secondary vessel to be moored in a first state to the primary vessel, configured to cause, at least in part, the secondary vessel to be drawn towards the primary vessel in a substantially horizontal direction; and
a lifting mechanism configured to be actuated, at least in part, by the drive mechanism and, when actuated to cause the secondary vessel to be moored in the first state to the primary vessel, configured to cause, at least in part, the secondary vessel to be raised from a substantially horizontal plane to the first state,
wherein the lifting mechanism comprises an engagement portion configured to detachably engage the secondary vessel after the secondary vessel is drawn the substantially horizontal distance.
11. A maritime system comprising:
a primary vessel;
a mooring apparatus coupled to the primary vessel; and
a secondary vessel configured to be moored to the primary vessel via the mooring apparatus, the secondary vessel comprising:
a first hull shell longitudinally extending from a first surface to a second surface and comprising a first opening to a first interior cavity region;
a second hull shell longitudinally extending from a third surface to a fourth surface and comprising a second opening to a second interior cavity region; and
at least one hinge assembly connected between the first hull shell and the second hull shell, the at least one hinge assembly being configured to enable the first hull shell and the second hull shell to move between a closed configuration in which the first interior cavity region and the second interior cavity region confront one another to form an enclosed interior cavity region, and an opened configuration in which the first interior cavity region and the second interior cavity region are separated,
wherein the first surface and the third surface define a bow of the secondary vessel and the second surface and the fourth surface define a stern of the secondary vessel.
2. The apparatus of
3. The apparatus of
4. The apparatus of
5. The apparatus of
a guide member coupled to the lifting mechanism; and
a tethering line coupled to the drawing mechanism at a first end and detachably coupled to the secondary vessel at a second end,
wherein, when the secondary vessel is being drawn towards the primary vessel, displacement of the first member along the axis of rotation is configured to cause, at least in part, a portion of the tethering line to be guided about a portion of the guide member and configured to cause, at least in part, the tethering line to draw the secondary vessel towards the primary vessel in the substantially horizontal direction.
8. The method according to
9. The method according to
10. The method according to
causing, at least in part, a second signal to be received to actuate the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism being further configured to cause, at least in part, the secondary vessel to be lowered from the first state; and
causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in a second direction based on the second signal,
wherein causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in the second direction is configured to cause, at least in part, the lifting mechanism to lower the secondary vessel towards the substantially horizontal plane to a second state.
12. The maritime system according to
a first bracket coupled to the fifth surface, the first bracket being configured to enable the secondary vessel to be, in a first moored state, detachably cantilevered from the primary vessel via the mooring apparatus.
13. The maritime system according to
14. The maritime system according to
a second bracket coupled to the sixth surface, the second bracket being configured to enable the secondary vessel to be, in a second moored state, detachably cantilevered from the primary vessel via the mooring apparatus.
15. The maritime system according to
16. The maritime system according to
a locking mechanism configured to slideably engage the at least one locking pin to secure the first hull shell and the second hull shell in the opened configuration.
17. The maritime system according to
an actuator comprising a first axis of rotation,
wherein rotation of the actuator about the first axis of rotation is configured to enable the locking mechanism to toggle between the locked state and the unlocked state.
18. The maritime system according to
an outboard propulsion device bracket detachably coupled to either the second surface or the fourth surface, the outboard propulsion device bracket being configured to enable an outboard propulsion device to be detachably coupled to the secondary vessel with a centerline of the outboard propulsion device being substantially aligned with a centerline of the secondary vessel.
19. The maritime system according to
at least one thwart disposed within the first hull shell or the second hull shell, the at least one thwart comprising a lower portion comprising positive flotation material.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/507,147, filed Jul. 13, 2011, and entitled “System, Method, and Apparatus for Storing and Deploying Auxiliary Vessels,” the entire contents of which are incorporated, herein, by reference.
Auxiliary vessels, such as dinghies, personal watercrafts, skiffs, tenders, and the like, are often utilized in association with primary vessels, e.g., cruise liners, sailboats, ships, tankers, yachts, etc., for various maritime applications. For instance, auxiliary vessels may be utilized to transport people and/or cargo from a moored primary vessel to a destination of is interest. Various combinations of weight, obstacles (riggings, railings, etc.), wave-induced motions, and physical capabilities, often makes storing and deploying auxiliary vessels problematic, if not dangerous for boaters. Conventionally, owners of primary vessels have resorted to complex crane or davit installed solutions that, while providing at least some powered or mechanized advantages, tend to occupy inordinate amounts of precious boating space (e.g., deck, railing, transom, etc.), not to mention impede the use of other surrounding spaces. Further, these crane and davit installed solutions often detract from the aesthetic appearance of the primary vessel. It is further noted that when auxiliary vessels include outboard propulsion devices, these solutions also generally require the outboard propulsion devices to be lifted off the auxiliary vessels and loaded onto the primary vessels before the auxiliary vessels can be stored or moored. Due to the weight of typical outboard propulsion devices, this is often a difficult, laborious, and dangerous task. Moreover, conventional crane and davit installed solutions are quite expensive.
Therefore, there is a need for an approach that provides safer, more cost effective auxiliary vessels, as well as safer, more cost effective mechanisms to store and deploy these auxiliary vessels.
Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
A preferred system, method, apparatus, and software for storing and deploying auxiliary vessels are described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various preferred embodiments. It is apparent, however, that the preferred embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the preferred embodiments.
Although the various exemplary embodiments are described with respect to maritime environments, it is contemplated that various exemplary embodiments are also applicable to other environments conducive to storage, such as industrial, commercial, residential, and the like environments.
According to one embodiment, hull portion 201 has a shell-like structure including a plurality of exterior surfaces 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, and 201e that substantially is enclose an interior cavity region 213 having inner surfaces 201f, 201g, 201h, 201i, and 201j. In this manner, exterior surfaces 201a-201d and interior surfaces 201f-201i terminate at corresponding edges, which together form peripheral (or gunwale) surface 215 of hull portion 201. Peripheral surface 215 defines a bounding edge of an opening to interior cavity region 213, as well as includes a plurality of recessed portions, such as recessed portions 217, 219, and 221. Similarly, hull portion 203 may have a shell-like structure including a plurality of exterior surfaces 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d, and 203e that substantially enclose an interior cavity region 223 having inner surfaces 203f, 203g, 203h, 203i, and 203j. As such, exterior surfaces 203a-203d and interior surfaces 203f-203i terminate at corresponding edges, which together form peripheral (or gunwale) surface 225 of hull portion 203. Peripheral surface 225 defines a bounding edge of an opening to interior cavity region 223, as well as includes a plurality of recessed portions, such as recessed portions 227 and 229. It is noted that recessed portions 217 and 227 are longitudinally offset from one another, as may be recessed portions 219 and 229. Thus, when vessel 200 is in the open configuration illustrated in
As seen in
It is noted that when vessel 200 is placed in water, weight acting toward a center of hull portion 201 and/or 203 will tend to force hull portions 201 and 203 apart at corresponding keel portions 235 and 237 and together at outer edges 209 and 211. That is, when vessel 200 is placed in water, buoyant forces applied at the longitudinal outer limits of hull portions 201 and 203 will place vessel 200 under a bending moment, thereby applying compressive forces at outer edges 209 and 211 and tensile forces at keel portions 235 and 237. In this manner, an imaginary neutral axis A2 extends longitudinally through vessel 200 where vessel 200 is neither in compression nor tension. To counteract the tendency of hull portions 201 and 203 to separate at corresponding keel portions 235 and 237, hull portions 201 and 203 may be secured above, below, or at a designed waterline WL via, for instance, locking mechanism 239, which may be is actuated between locked state 241 and unlocked state 243 via, for example, locking mechanism actuator (actuator) 245. Locking mechanism 239 is described in more detail in association with
With continued reference to
According to various embodiments, vessel 200 further includes one or more thwarts (or seats), such as thwarts 259, 261, 263, and 265, integrally formed from (or otherwise secured to) corresponding hull portions 201 and 203. Thwarts 259-265 may include lower portions having positive floatation material 267 disposed therein. In certain implementations, vessel 200 may also have an outboard propulsion device bracket (bracket) 269 detachably coupled to either hull portion 201 or hull portion 203. As shown in
According to various embodiments, main body portion 1001 includes one or more recessed regions, such as recessed regions 1015 and 1017, extending into surface 1001a towards surface 1001b. Recessed regions 1015 and 1017 correspondingly include guide members 1019 and 1021, which may interface with, for instance, one or more dovetail tracked surfaces (not shown) formed within recessed regions 1015 and 1017. It is noted that respective portions of corresponding guide members 1019 and 1021 extend into slotted region 1007, such as portion 1019a of guide member 1019. Adverting momentarily to
Adverting to
According to various embodiments, through bores 1305 are conically-defined and, thereby, include diameters varying (such as linearly varying) from corresponding fifth diameters D5 to corresponding sixth diameters D6, where D6 is dimensionally greater than D5. It is noted that D5 may be dimensionally greater than or equal to D2, and D3 may be dimensionally greater than or equal to D6. Thus, when locking mechanism 1000 is in unlocked state 243 and vessel 200 is in the open configuration of
Locking mechanism 1000 via slots 1013 also engages a plurality of guide pins 1307 extending from hull portion 203. Guide pins 1307 include head portions 1307a embedded within hull portion 203, such as between outer surface 203d and inner surface 203i. Shaft portions 1307b extend from head portions 1307a and, thereby, protrude from inner surface 203i. In one embodiment, diameter D9 of corresponding shaft portions 1307b is dimensionally smaller than respective widths W2 of slots 1013 so that corresponding shaft portions 1307b may be received within corresponding slots 1013 as locking mechanism 1000 is toggled between locked is state 241 and unlocked state 243. In order to conceal corresponding distal ends of locking pins 1303 and guide pins 1307, locking mechanism 1000 may also include face plate 1027 having extension portions 1027a and 1027b enabling face plate 1027 to be secured to surface 1003b, yet create interior cavity region 1029 configured to enable distal end portions of locking pins 1303 and guide pins 1307 to be received and move therein.
Locking mechanism 1000 further includes attachment flange 1031 having attachment bore 1033 configured to enable locking mechanism actuator 245 to be coupled thereto, such as pinned thereto.
Manipulation portion 245c extends from rotation portion 245b and may be rotated about imaginary axis of rotation A4 to cause, at least in part, locking mechanism 1000 to be actuated between states 241 and 243. In other words, when manipulation portion 245c is caused is to be rotated about imaginary axis of rotation A4 in a first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction), rotation portion 245b will also rotate about imaginary axis of rotation A4, which causes, at least in part, translation portion 245a to be displaced towards a stern of vessel 200 and locking mechanism 1000 to be actuated from locked state 241 to unlocked state 243. Accordingly, when manipulation portion 245c is caused to be rotated about imaginary axis of rotation A4 in a second direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction), rotation portion 245b will also rotate about imaginary axis of rotation A4, which causes, at least in part, translation portion 245a to be displaced towards a bow of vessel 200 and locking mechanism 1000 to be actuated from unlocked state 243 to locked state 241. It is also noted that manipulation portion 245c may be utilized to toggle vessel 200 from the open configuration illustrated in
As will become more apparent below, blind bore 1513 is configured to slideably receive at least a portion of a lifting mechanism of an auxiliary vessel storing and deploying mechanism (such as storing and deploying mechanism 2200 of
According to alternative embodiments, a conventional auxiliary vessel may be retro-fit with a plurality of retro-fit brackets.
Adverting to
According to various embodiments, bracket 2100 may include a first engagement bore 2119 extending from upper surface 2101 to lower surface 2103, as well as a second is engagement bore 2121 extending from side surface 2107 towards another side surface (not shown). Second engagement bore 2121 may be configured to receive at least a portion, e.g., a distal end, of a handle bar, such as handle bar 1813 or 1815. Similarly to blind bore 1513, first engagement bore 2119 may be configured to slideably receive at least a portion of a lifting mechanism of an auxiliary vessel storing and deploying mechanism, such as storing and deploying mechanism 2200 of
Bracket 2100 may also include socket 2123, having attachment blind bore 2125, securely embedded in upper surface 2101 to enable at least a portion of an oarlock (not shown), such as a pivot post of an oarlock, to be detachably coupled to bracket 2100. While not illustrated, bracket 2100 may also include an engagement portion similar to engagement portion 1521 extending from surface 2109 and configured to enable, for instance, a drawing mechanism of the storing and deploying mechanism to be detachably coupled thereto. In certain embodiments, bracket 2100 may additionally include one or more recessed channels similar to recessed channel 1523 that are configured to center (or otherwise align) bracket 2100 with at least a portion of the storing and deploying mechanism.
While not illustrated, input from one or more sensors (or other suitable feedback mechanisms) may be provided to the controller(s) to monitor and facilitate automated actuation of drive mechanisms 2215 and 2217 and/or powered actuator 2219. The sensor(s) may be displaced or otherwise distributed on or within one or more of the various components of is mechanism 2200. As such, sensed conditions (or other feedback information) may be provided to the controller(s) for controlling drive mechanisms 2215 and 2217 and/or power actuator 2219, as well as stored to a memory (not illustrated). Additionally (or alternatively), drive screw 2215 may interface with a wench assembly (not shown) that enables drive screw 2215 to be manually operated via handle 2221 of the wench assembly. In exemplary embodiments, drive screw 2215 is driven at a same angular velocity (or rotational speed about imaginary axes of rotation A5 and A6) as drive screw 2217 via a chain drive, not illustrated. The chain drive may be concealed within an inner cavity region (not shown) of either (or both of) upper frame member 2207 or lower frame member 2209.
According to exemplary embodiments, mechanism 2200 includes lifting mechanisms 2223 and 2225, which are capable of respective displacement along drive screws 2215 and 2217, so as to enable a load, such as vessel 200, supported by (such as cantilevered from) lifting mechanisms 2223 and 2225 to be vertically (or substantially vertically) displaced, e.g., raised and lowered from a horizontal (or substantially horizontal) plane, from a lower position (or first state) to a raised position (or second state). Mechanism 2200 may further include drawing mechanisms 2227 and 2229 that are also capable of respective displacement along drive screws 2215 and 2217. Displacement of drawing mechanisms 2227 and 2229 along drive screws 2215 and 2217 may be configured to cause, at least in part, the load to be displaced (e.g., drawn) towards mechanism 2200 in a horizontal (or substantially horizontal) direction via respective tethering lines 2231 and 2233 correspondingly coupled to drawing mechanisms 2227 and 2229, as will become more apparent below. Columns 2203 and 2205 may, in certain embodiments, also include corresponding engagement portions 2235 and 2237 configured to detachably engage the load when the load is raised to the second state, which is described in is more detail below.
It is noted that the respective arrangements constituting lifting mechanisms 2223 and 2225 are identical, as are the components enabling lifting mechanisms 2223 and 2225 to be displaced along drive screws 2215 and 2217. Similarly, the respective arrangements constituting drawing mechanisms 2227 and 2229 are identical, as are the components enabling drawing mechanisms 2227 and 2229 to be displaced along drive screws 2215 and 2217. Further, the arrangement between lifting mechanism 2223 and drawing mechanism 2227 that enables tethering line 2231 to draw a load, e.g., vessel 200, towards mechanism 2200 is identical to the arrangement between lifting mechanism 2225 and drawing mechanism 2229 that enables tethering line 2233 to draw the load towards mechanism 2200. Moreover, the arrangements of engagement portions 2235 and 2237 are identical. Therefore, the aforementioned arrangements are only described with respect to the arrangements of and between lifting mechanism 2225, drawing mechanism 2229, and engagement portion 2237.
As seen in
Similarly, drawing mechanism 2229 includes upper portion 2247 and lower portion 2249. Upper portion 2247 has bore portion 2251 of, for example, diameter D12 and extending from upper surface 2229a to intermediate surface 2229b and, thereby, extending towards lower surface 2229c. Lower portion 2247 has bore portion 2253 of, for instance, diameter D13 and extending from lower surface 2229c to intermediate surface 2229b and, thereby, extending towards upper surface 2229a. Accordingly, the conjunction of bore portions 2251 and 2253 constitute a stepped through bore of diameters D12 and D13. Bore portions 2251 and 2253 may be configured, in exemplary embodiments, to enable drawing mechanism 2229 to be concentrically disposed about drive screw 2217. As such, bore portions 2251 and 2253 may be concentrically aligned with respect to imaginary axis of rotation A6.
According to various exemplary embodiments, bore portions 2245 and 2253 may be configured to receive corresponding members 2255 and 2257, which may be any suitable carrier nut. Carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 may include outer diameter D16, with D16 being dimensionally less than D13, but dimensionally greater than D12. Further, carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 may include respective internally threaded bores (not shown) configured to threadedly engage drive screw 2217. While not illustrated, an inner most diameter of each of the internally threaded bores may be dimensionally larger than diameter D15 of unthreaded portion 2217b of drive screw 2217. In this manner, rotation of drive screw 2217 about imaginary axis of rotation A6 in a first direction (e.g., a counterclockwise rotational direction) may be configured to cause carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 to be displaced along imaginary axis of rotation A6 in an upwards direction, such as towards, for example, upper frame member 2207. Rotation of drive screw 217 about imaginary axis of rotation A6 in a second direction (e.g., a clockwise rotational direction) may be configured to cause carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 to be displaced along imaginary axis of rotation A6 in a downwards direction, such as towards, for instance, lower frame member 2209.
Referring momentarily to
When drive screw 2217 is caused, at least in part, to be rotated about imaginary axis of rotation A6 in the second direction, carrier nut 2255 will be caused, at least in part, to be displaced in the downwards direction towards lower frame member 2209 and, thereby, enable lifting mechanism to be displaced in the downwards direction from position 2261 towards position 2259. As lifting mechanism 2225 displaces in the downwards direction, drawing mechanism 2229 will be enabled to displace from position 2267 to position 2265. Carrier nut 2257 will also be permitted to displace along unthreaded portion 2217b of drive screw 2217 and eventually reengage (e.g., threadedly reengage) threaded portion 2217a. Continued rotation of drive screw 2217 in the second direction will accordingly cause, at least in part, carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 to be displaced in the downwards direction and, thereby, enable lifting mechanism 2225 and drawing mechanism 2229 to be correspondingly lowered to respective positions 2259 and 2263. It is noted that when lifting mechanism 2225 is lowered to position 2259, lower surface 2225c of lifting mechanism 2225 will abut upper surface 2211a of bearing 2211, as will lower surface 2255a of carrier nut 2255. Further, when drawing mechanism 2229 is lowered to position 2263, lower surface 2229c of drawing mechanism 2229 will abut upper surface 2225a of lifting mechanism 2225, as will lower surface 2257a of carrier nut 2257.
It is further noted that when drawing mechanism 2229 is caused, at least in part, is to be displaced along imaginary axis of rotation A6 from position 2263 towards position 2265, displacement of lifting mechanism 2225 may be delayed or otherwise retarded. Namely, when lifting mechanism 2225 and drawing mechanism 2229 are in respective positions 2259 and 2263, lower surface 2255a of carrier nut 2255 abuts upper surface 2211a of bearing 2211 and lower surface 2257a of carrier nut 2257 abuts upper surface 2225a of lifting mechanism 2225. Thus, as carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 are caused, at least in part, to be displaced along axis of rotation A6 in the upwards direction, displacement of carrier nut 2257 will cause, at least in part, drawing mechanism 2229 to be displaced in the upwards direction. Displacement of carrier nut 2255 in the upwards direction, however, will not immediately cause, at least in part, lifting mechanism 2225 to be displaced in the upwards direction. This is because carrier nut 2255 must be caused, at least in part, to be displaced from a position where its lower surface 2255a abuts upper surface 2211a of bearing 2211 to another position where its upper surface 2255b abuts intermediate surface 2225b of lifting mechanism 2225 before carrier nut 2255 may cause, at least in part, lifting mechanism 2225 to be displaced in the upwards direction. Namely, carrier nut 2255 must at least travel a length of bore portion 2245 before lifting mechanism 2225 is caused, at least in part, to be displaced in the upwards direction. Accordingly, the distance carrier nut 2255 must travel before enabling lifting mechanism 2225 to be caused, at least in part, to be displaced in the upwards direction (and, thereby, the time it takes carrier nut 2255 to travel that distance) will correspondingly relate to an amount of time by which the displacement of lifting mechanism 2225 will be delayed or retarded. It is noted that this amount of time will also be proportional to an amount of spacing between carrier nuts 2255 and 2257 along imaginary axis of rotation A6, as well as be proportional to an amount of horizontal distance drawing mechanism 2229 via tethering line 2233 may draw, for example, vessel 200 towards mechanism 2200 and, thereby, is towards primary vessel 103. In this manner, the aforementioned spacing between carrier nuts 2255 and 2257, as well as the length of bore portion 2245 will also be proportional to the substantially horizontal distance drawing mechanism 2229 via tethering line 2233 may draw vessel 200 towards mechanism 2200 and, thereby, towards primary vessel 103.
With continued reference to
According to exemplary embodiments, lifting mechanism 2225 may further include protrusion portions 2277 and 2279. Protrusion portion 2277 may be, for example, configured as a triangular prism extending from surface 2225d of lifting mechanism 2225. In this manner, protrusion portion 2277 may have one or more mounting bores, such as mounting bores 2277a-2277d, that enable protrusion portion 2277 to be, for instance, fastened (e.g., screwed, bolted, pinned, etc.) to lifting mechanism 2225. While not illustrated, mounting bores 2277a-2277d may have tapered (or otherwise countersunk) openings extending from respective surfaces 2277e and 2277f of protrusion portion 2277 to enable corresponding fasteners (not shown) to have surfaces that are flush or countersunk from surfaces 2277e and 2277f. Protrusions portion 2277 may further include chamfered surfaces 2277g and 2277h. It is noted that at least a portion of protrusion portion 2277 may be configured to slideably engage recessed channel 1523 of brackets 1500 and, thereby, the conjunction of recessed channel 1523 and protrusion portion 2277 may serve one or more alignment functions as vessel 200 is drawn towards mechanism 2200. Namely, when at least a portion of protrusion portion 2277 is slideably engaged within recessed channel 1523, vessel 200 will be aligned, e.g., centered, with is mechanism 2200. Further, when at least a portion of protrusion portion 2277 is fully engaged within recessed channel 1523, engagement pin 2237a of engagement portion 2237 will be concentrically aligned with blind bore 1515 of bracket 1500. At this point, engagement pin 2279a of protrusion portion 2279 will be concentrically aligned with blind bore 1513 of bracket 1500.
It is noted that when (or substantially when) at least a portion of protrusion portion 2277 is fully engaged within recessed channel 1523, upper surface 2255a of carrier nut 2255 will abut intermediate surface 2225b of lifting mechanism 2225. Continued displacement of carrier nut 2255 in the upwards direction will cause, at least in part, lifting mechanism 2225 to be displaced in the upwards direction and, thereby, enable engagement pin 2279a to be caused, at least in part, to be displaced in the upwards direction and, thereby, become slideably engaged within at least a portion of blind bore 1513 of bracket 1500. In this manner, bracket 1500 and, thereby, vessel 200 will become cantilevered from lifting mechanism 2225. Still further displacement of carrier nut 2255 in the upwards direction will cause, at least in part, lifting mechanism 2225 to reach position 2261. At this point, engagement pin 2237a of engagement portion 2237 will be slideably engaged within at least a portion of blind bore 1515 of bracket 1500. Thus, bracket 1500 will be secured by and between engagement pins 2237a and 2279a, such that vessel 200 will be secured to mechanism 2200 in a first state illustrated in
Adverting back to
Since not all primary vessels are configured alike, mechanism 2200 may also include a configurable mounting mechanism 2295. In exemplary embodiments, mechanism 2295 is configured to enable mechanism 2200 to be coupled to at least one surface of a primary vessel, which may raked, as well as enable mechanism 2200 to be vertically (or substantially vertically) oriented. Accordingly, mechanism 2295 may include a plurality of upper and lower framing members configured to be securely engaged with one or more engagement flanges of columns 2203 and 2205, such as upper framing member 2295a and lower framing member 2295b securely engaged with corresponding portions of engagement flange 2205a. Mechanism 2295 may also include one or more framing members extending between and securely engaged with the one or more upper and lower framing members of mechanism 2295, such as framing members 2295c and 2295d. For instance, framing member 2295d may be securely engaged with upper framing member 2295a and lower framing member 2295b. In one embodiment, the upper and lower framing members of mechanism 2295 may be telescopic (or otherwise configurable) to enable the one or more framing members extending between the upper and lower framing members to be positioned in one or more configurations that correspond to the configuration of is the at least one surface of the primary vessel, such as configured in a raked manner.
While not illustrated, mechanism 2295 may also include one or more other framing members extending between and securely engaged with the one or more upper and lower framing members of mechanism 2295, such as one or more other framing members which may be parallel with upper and lower frame members 2207 and 2209 of structure 2201. In exemplary embodiments, framing member 2295c may include a plurality mounting bores, such as mounting bores 2297a-2297e, configured to enable mechanism 2295 and, thereby, mechanism 2200 to be, for instance, securely fastened (or otherwise coupled) to at least one surface of a primary vessel, such as transom 107 of primary vessel 103. Similarly, framing member 2295d may include a plurality of mounting bores, such as mounting bores 2299a-2299e, configured to enable mechanism 2295 and, thereby, mechanism 2200 to be securely fastened to the at least one surface.
According to exemplary embodiments, actuator interface 2701 is configured to exchange control and/or feedback information (e.g., instructions, parameters, signals, etc.) with one or more powered actuators 2717, such as powered actuator 2219. Likewise, sensor interface 2713 is configured to exchange control and/or feedback information with one or more sensors (or feedback mechanisms) 2719, such as one or more upper limit and lower limit sensors. In this manner, feedback information may be provided to monitoring module 2709 for monitoring the arrangement (e.g., spatial positioning) of one or more components of storing and deploying mechanism 2200 and, thereby, the arrangement of an auxiliary vessel (e.g., vessel 200) being stored or deployed via mechanism 2200. Accordingly, processor 2711 may dynamically manage the spatial configuration of the various components of mechanism 2200 based on one or more programs, signals, instructions, and/or data stored to or provided by, for example, actuator interface 2701, input interface 2705, memory 2707, monitoring module 2709, and/or sensor interface 2719. In exemplary embodiments, the physical configuration of the various components of mechanism 2200 and/or a load (e.g., vessel 200) being stored to or deployed from mechanism 2200 are referred to as states or positions; accordingly, a change in the physical configuration with respect to one or more of the various components and/or the load are considered changes in states. In this manner, monitoring module 2709 may be configured to monitor these states and may record corresponding information to memory 2707 for tracking, optimizing, or otherwise controlling the various components of mechanism 2200.
It is noted that control and feedback information (e.g., data, instructions, parameters, signals, etc.) for controlling powered actuator 2717 and, thereby, the spatial configuration of mechanism 2200 may be stored to memory 2707, e.g., any non-volatile memory, such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Memory 2707 may be implemented as one or more discrete devices, stacked devices, or integrated with processor 2711. Memory 2707 may represent a hierarchy or memory, which may include both random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Further, control functions may be implemented via processor 2711, which may be a single processor or multiple processors. Suitable processors 2711 may include, for example, both general purpose and special purpose processors, such as one or more digital signal processors. Thus, the various processes described herein may be caused, at least in part, by controller 2700, in response to processor(s) 2711 executing one or more arrangements of instructions contained in memory 2707. Execution of instructions contained in memory 2707 may cause processor(s) 2711 to cause, at least in part, or otherwise perform various actions described herein. It is noted that controller 2700 includes bus 2703 or any other suitable communication mechanism for communicating various information (e.g., data, instructions, parameters, signals, etc.) among and between components 2701-2713. It is also noted that hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement exemplary embodiments. Thus, various exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
While not illustrated, controller 2700 may include and/or be further configured to toggle one or more status-indicators (not shown), such as one or more lamps, light emitting diodes, and/or the like. These status-indicators may be provided to convey one or more of the aforementioned states and/or positions of one or more of the various components of storing and deploying mechanism 2200. In this manner, a first status-indicator may be utilized to convey that mechanism 2200 is available for use and, thereby, functioning properly. Another status-indicator (or one or more toggled states of the first status-indicator) may be used to convey that mechanism 2200 and/or controller 2700 requires maintenance or repair. Another status indicator (or one or more other toggled states of the first status-indicator) may be utilized to convey faults of mechanism 2200 and/or controller 2700. For instance, controller 2700 may signal users of mechanism 2200 via one or more certain status-indicators and/or one or more signaling methods, a situation wherein controller 2700 detects (or otherwise determines) that an increased current (or voltage) is being drawn above one or more predetermined thresholds by one or more of the various components of mechanism 2200 and/or controller 2700 when, for instance, mechanism 2200 is being actuated. In this example, such an indication may be utilized to convey situations when maintenance is required in the form of, for instance, lubrication or cleaning of one or more of the various components of mechanism 2200 and/or controller 2700.
As described in association with
In this manner, controller 2700 (via, for example, monitoring module 2709) may be configured to monitor a position of auxiliary vessel 101, per step 2805. That is, monitoring module 2709 may monitor feedback from, for instance, one or more sensors 2719 configured to provide monitoring module 2709 with feedback information corresponding to spatial positioning of at least one lifting mechanism of storing and deploying mechanism 105 and, thereby, the spatial positioning of auxiliary vessel 101. At step 2807, controller 2700 determines whether auxiliary vessel 101 has been caused, at least in part, to be raised to the first state. If auxiliary is vessel 101 is not in the first state, controller 2700 will continue to monitor the position of auxiliary vessel 101 and, thereby, continue to actuate powered actuator 2717. However, if auxiliary vessel 101 is in the first state, controller 2700 may stop actuating powered actuator 2717, per step 2809. It is noted that, in certainly exemplary embodiments, mechanism 2200 may be manually actuated via, for instance, wench 2221 and/or any other suitable, manually operated crank mechanism, which may be integrated (or otherwise incorporated) with one or more of drive mechanisms 2215 and 2217. This may be useful in situations when an insufficient amount of power exists to actuate mechanism 2200 and/or controller 2700. It is also noted that during manual operation of mechanism 2200, controller 2700 may still be utilized to monitor one or more states and/or conditions of mechanism 2200. At this point, hull portion 115 may be rotated (or otherwise folded) atop hull portion 117 and, thereby, moved from an open configuration to a closed configuration, as illustrated via
As previously described, powered actuator 2717 is configured to cause, at least in part, drive mechanisms 2215 and 2217 to be actuated in one or more directions, e.g., a first direction and a second direction. In this manner, controller 2700 actuates powered actuator 2717 in a second direction based on the received signal, per step 3303. Once actuated, powered actuator 2717 is configured to cause, at least in part, auxiliary vessel 101 to be lowered from the first state towards the second state. As previously described, actuation of mechanism 2200 may be additionally or alternatively accomplished via one or more manually operated components, such as wench 2221. Thus, controller 2700 (via, for example, monitoring module 2709) may be configured to monitor a position of auxiliary vessel 101, per step 3305. Namely, monitoring module 2709 may monitor feedback from, for instance, one or more sensors 2719 configured to provide monitoring module 2709 with feedback information corresponding to spatial positioning of at least one lifting mechanism of storing and deploying mechanism 105 and, thereby, the spatial positioning of auxiliary vessel 101. At step 3307, controller 2700 determines whether auxiliary vessel 101 has been caused, at least in part, to be lowered to the second state. If auxiliary vessel 101 is not in the second state, controller 2700 will continue to monitor the position of auxiliary vessel 101 and, thereby, continue to actuate powered actuator 2717. However, if auxiliary vessel 101 is in the second state, controller 2700 may stop actuating powered actuator 2717, per step 3309. At this point, auxiliary vessel 101 may be untethered from storing and deploying mechanism 105 and, thereby, unmoored from primary vessel 103.
While certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presented claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.
O'Neill, David J., Alden, Robert E.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jul 12 2012 | Robert E., Alden | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jul 12 2012 | O NEILL, DAVID J | ALDEN, ROBERT E | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 028538 | /0506 |
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